The 2020 Census is right around the corner and Augusta County is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure Augusta is accurately represented in the upcoming decennial count. In the coming months, you will hear more from the County and community partners about the importance of completing the census and being counted.

The census counts everyone in the United States once, only once, and in the right place. Census results are the basis for congressional representation and help determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds is distributed each year to support vital programs in the Shenandoah Valley, throughout Virginia, and across the country. These funds shape local health care, housing, education, transportation, employment, and public policy.

Not only does the count affect the availability and quality of services for Augusta County citizens for the next ten years but also:

• Businesses use census data to decide where to locate which ultimately bring new jobs to the area.
• Real estate developers and county planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods.
• Augusta County uses the census to help make decisions about public safety, health and schools.
  
  

Local Complete Count Committee Forms

A local census Complete Count Committee (CCC) comprised of government and community leaders from education, business, healthcare, faith-based groups and other community organizations has formed to help make sure that citizens in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro (SAW) are counted. The SAW CCC will focus on teaching citizens how to complete the Census and why an accurate count is important in securing financial resources that provide essential services and crucial programs throughout the region.

Augusta County’s representative on the SAW CCC is Leslie Tate, senior planner. Other organizations represented include the public schools, Mary Baldwin University and Blue Ridge Community College, the Virginia Department of Health, Augusta Health, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, and the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce among many others.

Tate and this team of partners are rolling out information throughout the community about how to help with the count effort, how to complete the census, and how individuals and organizations can help people overcome challenges to being counted. This last effort includes breaking down barriers and dispelling myths and common misperceptions about the census.

What can you do?

Now that we all know how important the census is, how it affects our daily lives, and how it brings federal dollars into our area for services and programs we all share and use, what can you do to help?

1. Fill out the census for your household!
   
   On March 12, 2020, every household in America will be mailed a postcard detailing how to respond online, by phone, or through the mail.  April 1, 2020 is Census Day, the day everyone should count all people (children and other people even if they are unrelated) in their household.
   
   
2. Encourage your friends and family to do the same! Share the good news that “everyone counts” to everyone you know!

On April 1-2 and May 6-7, the Augusta County Library in Fishersville will host a Census 2020 Open House to help anyone fill out their census response. 

Thanks for doing your part in the big count!    

Learn more at 2020CENSUS.GOV.